Attachment for beds.



No. 828,164. PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906. J. P. WILLIAMS.

ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25. 1905.

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PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

J. P. WILLIAMS. ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

APPLICATION FILED M-AY25, 1905.

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NO- 828,164. M PATBNTED AUG. 7,1906.

J. P. WILLIAMS; ATTACHMENT 'FOR BEDS.

' KPPLIOATION FILED MAY 26, 1905.

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, UNITED STATES' JAMES P. WILLIAMS,

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

PATENT OFFICE.

ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1906.

' Application filed May 25,1905. Serial No. 262,181.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES P. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Attachments for Beds, &c., of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification My invention relates to attachments for beds, chairs. or like articles and may be employed in other analogous locations.

More particularly, my invention relates to means and devices whereby articles of various nature may be attached to or mounted upon a bed, chair, or other article, and also to a novel holder for pillow-Shams or canopies which may advantageously be attached to a bed in my improved manner.

My improvement may be applied to any form of bed or bedstead or analogous articles; but according to the particular embodiment illustrated in the present application it is shown as applied to an iron or wooden stead of ordinary well-known construction.

The objects of my invention and improvements are several. 1

One of the objects is holder by ,which a pillow-sham or a canopy (such as ornamental drapery or mosquitonetting) may be attached or applied to a bed in a very advantageous manner, permitting a 1 universal adjustment, and various other advantages, which will be apparent or will be described hereinafter.

A further object is to provide such a sham or canopy holder of construction that may be taken down and easily and quickly taken to pieces, so as to be capable of packing in the smallest possible bulk.

A further object is to provide a novel and highly-efficient form of bracket-clamp which may be used not only as a bracket-support for the above-mentioned sham or canopy holder, but is in itself a highly useful trimming or attachmentfor a bed, and may be as a support for a shelf or a lamp or an extension where it may be desirable to increase the height of the posts of the bed.

Further objects relate to details, such as an improved clip for connecting the sham or canopy holding arms to the other parts of the bed- - Fig. 3 shows one of the tape-holding plates detached.-

to provide a novel sham or canopy holder, to a peculiar looking or adjusting contrivance for adjusting the position of the arms of the sham or canopy holder, to my novel means for effecting an extension for the posts of the bed for the purpose of the attachment at an elevation of my improved canopy-holder, and other objects, which will appear hereinafter.

I will first describe forms of devices which constitute embodiments of my improvements and invention and will then point out the novelfeatures in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the bed to which is applied my preferred form of sham or canopy holder as used for pillow-shams, but with the sham omitted to better disclose the mechanism, the same being applied to the bed through my improved bracket-clamp, and other features are also shown in this figure. Fig.2 is a top view of the devices shown in Fig. 1, but with all of the bed omitted excepting the bedposts, shown in crosssection;

Figs. 4 and 5 show detailsof my novel clip by which the sham or canopy supporting arms are connected. Fig. 6 is a lefthand elevation of the left-hand clamp shown in Fig. 1 and of the adjusting device with its adjusting-wheel. Fig. 7 is a left-hand elevation of the right-hand adjusting device, which serves also as a tape-holding plate. Fig. 8 is a side view of the part shown in Fig. 7 looking from the right. Fig. 9 shows a modified employment of the improvements illustrated in the preceding figures, illustrating the application thereof to a bed for the purpose of supporting an ornamental canopy or amosquito-netting, and also illustrates my improved extension for adapting the bed to cooperate therewith. Fig. 10 is a top view at one end of the parts shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 1 1 is like Fig. 9 with shorter canopy-supporting arms, the same having been dropped into inoperative position. Fig. 12 showsin front elevation, and Fig. 13 in top view, a modifi cation of my improved manner of adapting the bed for cooperation with my improved canopy-holder. Fig. 14 shows a sleeve which I prefer to insert between any of the clamps clamp is applied.

, various uses and may be sold commercially form of clamping member I have shown an Similar letters of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The bed or bedstead may be of any wellknown type and will not be described. When the bed is of the kind known as an iron or brass bedstead, my improved bracketclamp may be employed as a support for a sham or canopy holder or any other thing to be attached to the bed. When the bed is a wooden bedstead, a different form of bracket may be employed as a support for my im proved canopy or sham holder.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 6, A representsmy improved bracketclamp, which, as stated, may be employed for as a trimming by itself in the exact form shown or with an altered form of loop, depending upon the employment to which the bracket clamp is to be put. Generally speaking, my improved bracket-clamp may be said to consist in a strip of spring metal, I which I prefer to be integral throughout its length and which is of the peculiar form that I shall now describe. It comprises two concave portions which face each other. These are shown at a a and as shown are not of circular outline, but angular in form with straight sides, so that each of the concave portions is substantially V-shaped, the openings of the two Vs facing each other. The metal extends from one of the Vs continuously to the other by passing outwardly and around a loop which may be of any desired form, but which, as shown in the drawings at a, is one having substantially parallel sides toward its outer end. With this form of spring-strip the V-shaped portions or jaws may be moved toward and from each other, and thus passed around any post or part of no matter what shape to which the bracketclamp is to be secured. For securing my improved bracket-clamp in place I place a clamping memberover' the two portions of the metal strip, said clamping member being located, preferably, immediately adjacent the two V-shaped portions and between the opening formed by said V-shaped portions and the body of the loop a. As a convenient ordinary screw a with an ordinary thumbnut.

The species of bracket-clamp as described has been found to be very efficient, enabling articles or devices to be securely attached to a bedpost, which heretofore has not been accomplished save through an elaborate or expensive construction of bracket, and peculiar advantages also lie in the provision of V- shaped jaws. The whole forms a very cheap and compact bracket-clamp, which may be sold as an article of commerce.

I prefer to insert between the jaws of my improved bracket-clamp and the post of the 1 saiei bed a sleeve A, (see also Fig. 14,) which while protecting the latter from injury may even enhance the gripping qualities of the clamp, if said sleeve is made of suitable material, for which purpose I have finally determined ordinary pasteboard to be the most efficient.

I will now describe my improved pillowsham or canopy holder and my preferred way of attaching the same to a brass or iron bed. Two of my bracket-clamps A are used, one at each side of the head of the bed, and the bracket-clamps are in this case specially adapted for such employment by reason of the width of the spring metal forming the loop of the bracket-clamp and also by the provision of holes formed in each side of each bracket-clamp, the four holes being in line, whereby the rod B, upon which the entire sham or canopy holder is mounted, may be passed through said holes, the holes acting as hearings to permit the rod B being turned or rotated when the sham or canopy holder is elevated or lowered while being adjusted. As a support for the sham or canopy itself and projecting inwardly from the rodB are a series (any number may be used) of sham or canopy holding arms C, which may be of any desired length, depending upon whether they are to serve as a support for a sham or for a canopy and upon the extent to which it is desired to support the latter. As shown in Fig. 1, the arms 0 are comparatively short, but of sufficient length to support one or two pillowshams and when dropped into place upon the pillow to permit the shamsto cover the pillows. In Fig. 11 the arms C are of greater length, and in Fig. 9 they are of a still greater length, in these two figures there being further provided an additional supporting means or brace, which will be hereinafter described. Returning to Figs. 1 and 2, D represents a light bar or wire which is passed through rings formed on the ends of the several holding-arms C and is secured by a button or nut at the end, the purpose of the bar D being to complete the rectangle formed by the holding-arms for the better support of the pillowsham. It may be omitted when desired, and in any case it is preferably made easily removable by simply sliding out of the rings of the holding-arm, so that when the parts are packed when not in use as little space as possible will be occupied. To further promote the saving of space and condense as far as possible the bulk of my improved sham or canopy holder when packed for shipment or storage, (which I consider to be a very important feature,) I cause the holdin arms 0 to be easily detachable from and attachable to the rod B. It is not only important that the attachment to the rod B should be very rigid, but it is also important that the act of attaching and detaching the arms should be a simple one not requiring great strength. To

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. that portion of the loop of the bracket-supthe branches of the U forming the lock F is the spring expands and holds the arm C and cross-section of rod B and which is slipped in place.

meet all these requirements, I have devised a special arrangement which I claim to be new in itself and useful in a variety of ways other than the special application which is herein made of it. It consists in forming the rod B of a cross-section other than circular, and I prefer a square cross-section, and in combining therewith the special clip E, which I will now describe. K

As best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the clip E is a perforated spring V-clip consisting in a simple V-shaped spring having holes in the two arms of the V corresponding to the cross-section of the rod B and having the outwardly-projecting arm, the holding-arm C, secured mechanically to the V'-spring, preferably at the apex. The holes in the two branches of the V will be in the present instance, in order to cooperate with the square cross-section of the rod B, of an oblong form. Now it is obvious that in assembling the parts the user, who may be inexperienced in mechanics, has simply to squeeze together the arms of the V, which will then slip over the end of the rod B, and on being released rod B connected in a very rigid manner. The connection between the rod B and the loop a of the bracket-clamp (or bracket-suport, as it may be called when considered in the light of its function of supporting a sham holder, &c.,) is of a peculiar nature and comprises a contrivance for adjusting andlocking the rod B, and consequently the arms C, in desired positions. The main feature of this locking and adjusting device consists in a part which I will for convenience term a lock (markedFin Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 8) and of course port A with which the lock F coacts. The lock F may for convenience be formed of a U-shaped strip of metal having opposing holes of an outline corresponding with the over rod B, with a thumb-screw F to hold it Both of the locks F are placed at the left of the respective bracket-supports, so as to permit slight longitudinal movements of rod B against the action of the spring G, which acts between one of the bracket-supports and the collar g, tending to force the rod B to the right in Figs. 1 and 2. One of extended and the ends bent over toward the bracket-support, as best shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 2, so as to contact with the latter both above and below it, and thereby effectually lock the rod B against rotation. I find it quite important to provide such a look at each end of rod B to prevent elasticity and play of the parts from interfering with the stability of the device.

It is often desirable to have the arms C in a horizontal position, and they are so shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where the lock F is in operation.

When, however, it is desired to drop the shams, this may be done by means of a wheel H, which constitutes a handle and is attached to the rod B through the U-shaped web h, so that the user may by means of the handle H draw the rod B to the left against the resistance of spring G, thereby releasing the locks F from the bracket-supports A, when the rod B may be allowed to rotate and the arms C holding the sham to drop, In like manner a sham may be elevated above the horizontal position and when so elevated will be there held by reason of both of the projections on lock F being then above the loop a of the bracket-support. It should be mentioned that the rod B may be made in sections, one sliding within the other, so as to provide for adjustment to different widths of the bed.

As a convenient means of securing the pillow-shams to the holder I have provided the following: A tape-holding plate 9 is secured fast upon the rod B. Also each of the clips E are preferably provided with a tape-holding loop, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The lock F at the right-hand side may likewise have extensions, as shown in Fig. 7, provided with slits. An ordinary tape J, Fig. 1, may then be passed through the loops and all of the members just described, and to the tape J may be pinned pi llow-shams.

.When a mosquito-netting or canopy is to be applied to a brass or iron sirable not only to increase the length of the holding-arms C, but also to extend the height of the bedposts in order to insure a proper draping of the material. I have therefore invented an extension which is best shown in Figs. 9 and 11 and which consists of and provi es a piece K, which is suitably threaded at the bottom, so that it may be screwed into the place usually occupied by the screwknob, and the screw-knob is then screwed into place upon a specially-provided screw at the upper end of the post K. Where a great length of holding-arm is desirable, I prefer to insert between the screw-knob and the post K an apertured piece L, which is connected first by a short link I and then a link Z to a sleeve L, secured to the holding-arm C by a screw or otherwise to brace the holding-arm. The apertured piece L has two apertured projections, the second one being at right angles to the first and having connected with it a light rod Z which extends across the head of the bed to a corresponding apertured projection upon a corresponding apertured piece L on the other side. Further braces for holding-arms may be strung on the piece K.

Another mode of extending upwardly the head of the bed for the purpose of attaching a canopy-holder is as follows: When the bed is not provided with screw-knobs, I prefer to employ two bracket-clamps which are substantially the same as the bracket-clamp hereinbefore described by me. As now embed, I find it deployed, however, two such clamps having their loops modified for the special purpose in view, as shown at M, Figs. 12 and 13, are secured one above the other to the vertical post of the bed, and then a specially-provided extension-post N is clamped within the convex jaws of the clamp M and extended upwardly therefrom for a similar purpose to that shown in Fi 9. My improved bracketclamp is particularly useful for this purpose apd will hold the extension very firmly in ace.

p I have described my invention, and what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In asham or canopy holder the combination of a rod having sham or. canopy holding arms rigidly connected. therewith, through perforated spring V-clips, two stationary parts to be connected to the bed at each side thereof, two devices carried by the rod and cooperating with said stationary parts for locking the rod and holding-arms in suitable position, and ahandle for disengaging such locking mechanism and adjusting the rod and holding-arms, the said stationary parts and said rod being easily attachable to and detachable from a metal bedpost, throu h a clamp or the like; substantially as descri ed and for the purpose of affording an efiicient and light knockdown structure, which maybe packed in acontracted space.

2. In a sham or canopy holder the combination of a rod having sham or canopy holding arms rigidly connected therewith, through perforated spring V-clips, two stationary parts to be connected to the bed at each side thereof, two devices carried by the rod and cooperating with said stationary parts for locking the rod and holding-arms. in suitable position, a handle for disengaging such locking mechanism and adjusting the rod and locking-arms, and a light detachable bar passed through the extremities of said holding-arms, the said stationary parts and said rod being easily attachable to and detachable from a metal bedpost, through a clamp or the like; substantially as described and for the purpose of'aflording an efficient and light knockdown structure, which may be packed in a contracted space.

3. In a sham or canopy holder the combination of a rod having a sham, orcanopy holding arms rigidly connected therewith, through perforated spring V-clips, two stationary parts to be connected to the bed at each side thereof, two devices carried by the rod and cooperating with said stationary parts for locking the rod and holding-arms in suitable position, a handle for disengaging such locking mechanism and adjusting the rod and holding-arms, a spring pressing such parts into locking engagement, and a light detachable bar passed. through the extremities of said holding-arms, the said stationary parts and said rod being easily attachable to and detachable from a metal bedpost, through a clamp or thelike; substantially as described and. for the purpose of affording an efiicient and light knockdown structure, which may be packed in a contracted space.

4. A clip for rigidly but removably attaching an arm at an angle to a rod of other than circular crosssection, the same consisting in a simple V-shape spring having holes in the two arms of the V corresponding to the crosssection of the rod, the arm mechanically secured to the spring.

5. A canopy-holder comprising a rotating rod having elongated detachable holdingarms rigid therewith and an adjusting and locking handle, in combination with a brass or iron bed, two extension-posts screwed in the place of the screw-knobs thereof, said knobs screwed ,on top of said posts, and bracketclamps each comprising a springstrip formed with opposing V-shaped jaws and an integral connecting-loop provided with bearings for said rotating rod and also cooperating with said adjusting and locking handle, and adjustable braces connecting said elongated holding-arms with a point of support upon the bed.

6. A canopy-holder comprising a rotating rod having elongated detachable holdingarms rigid therewith and an adjusting and locking handle, in combination with a brass or iron bed, two extension-posts screwed in the place of the screw-knobs thereof, said knobs screwed on top of said posts with aper' tured pieces below said knobs, linked braces extending to said holding arms, and a bracket-support for mounting said rotating rod upon said extension-posts.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 24th day of May, A. D. 1905.

JAMES P. WILLIAMS.

In presence of WM. S. RICHARDSON, FRED JoY. 

